Team
Educators
Rachel McIntire, Ed.M.
Arts Education Specialist
rachel@muralmusicarts.org
Rachel McIntire is a multimedia artist originally from Northern California who has been engaged in the study of art, culture and education for over ten years. Before pursuing her Master's Degree in Art Education from Harvard's School of Education, Rachel played a fundamental role in developing a cadre of art-based programs serving youth throughout the Bay Area, including the Mural Music & Art Project (“MMAP”), the art program at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, The International Art Alliance, and the International Mural Campesino, which was created to promote the use of visual representation as an agent for social change and youth leadership in the rural towns of eastern Honduras. Rachel’s interest in using art as a tool for cultural understanding and positive social change has inspired her commitment to the Mural Music & Arts Project since its inception in 2001. Rachel oversees the art education curriculum.
Jeffrey Camarillo, M.A.
Teen Mural Program Director
jeffrey@muralmusicarts.org
Jeffrey Camarillo, is a lyricist, appearing on several Hip Hop releases, he performs his original songs to benefit the non-profits and schools where he works. Jeffrey, or “Mr. C” as his students call him, was born and raised in Menlo Park, CA. As the eldest son of a Stanford University history professor (Albert Camarillo) and middle school counselor (Susan Camarillo), education and public service were emphasized throughout his youth. Jeffrey attended public schools his entire educational career, and graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 1997, where he was Student Body President and Co-Captain of the varsity basketball team. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he majored in Urban Studies with a concentration in Urban Education. In Philadelphia, Jeff discovered his passion for teaching and working with youth, as he founded and directed an after-school reading and writing program in Southwest Philly. Upon graduating with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, Jeffrey returned to California to teach 8th grade U.S. History in Compton, CA, his father’s hometown. During his three years in Compton, Jeffrey taught over 600 young people and coached basketball, football, baseball and track and field. In 2004, Jeffrey returned to the Bay Area to pursue his master’s degree, complete his teaching credentials at Stanford University’s School of Education, and begin working with the Mural Music & Arts Project (“MMAP”) to help instructors increase their effectiveness reaching traditionally underserved, low performing youth in an academic environment. Jeffrey currently teaches in Compton, and provides MMAP staff with leadership, and professional development opportunities throughout the school year, and Directs MMAP’s summer staff and programs.
Frederick McNeil
Teen Coordinator
fred@muralmusicarts.org
Frederick Austin McNeill II is a young visionary dedicated to equality, empowerment and excellence through education and youth development. With a heart the size of Lake Minnetonka, from his native state, Minnesota, McNeill is dedicated to bettering the lives of his peers and young people alike by spreading the new definition of what is “cool”. With this new definition of “cool” being to keep a positive attitude about life and a world of peace unity and progress; Frederick and younger brother Gavin McNeill, Co-founder and Creative Director of LAx Paperboys Creative Agency, have set out to spread this new way of thinking across nations and generations. Frederick graduated Menlo College (Atherton, CA) with a B.A. in Liberal Arts Psychology, emphasis on Business Marketing, and while the starting Middle Linebacker for the Menlo Oaks football team, also served on the Menlo College Student Government. Frederick began with the Mural Music & Arts Project in the summer of 2007 as a volunteer. His significant contributions led him to a position as Youth Coordinator of MMAP’s History through Hip Hop Program (“HHH”), while finishing his graduate thesis “Hip Hop in Education: Empowering the Minds of Our Youth.” Among his many accomplishments with HHH, Frederick is most noted for his role in assisting the youth with their written and recorded Mural Verses, writing and recording “Lyrical Artillery” featuring The eXchange Program with Stanford A Capella singing group, Talisman, and The Movement Benefit Concert ‘09, “A Movement Through Time,” a collaboration with Stanford’s Caribbean Students Association which brought 300 community members in attendance and raised over $3,000 to help fund Session II of the HHH program.
Sarah Woodward
HEArt Coordinator
sarah@muralmusicarts.org
Sarah Woodward is a painter and will be the coordinator for the Health Education Through Art Program (HEArt). She graduated from Stanford University in March 2009 with a major in Psychology and minor in Studio Art. Born and raised in New Orleans, her passion for the arts is rooted in the spirit of her hometown. In high school, she attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with coursework in drawing, painting, computer graphics, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics and photography. In 2007, Sarah created a large public art installation on Stanford's campus dedicated to raising awareness about Hurricane Katrina. She later worked with an art therapist in New Orleans to help kids affected by the storm cope with their struggles. At Stanford, she worked with the Student Organizing Committee for the Arts to establish gallery spaces promoting artistic expression and the role of artists in beautifying spaces. With MMAP, Sarah coordinated a mural-making event to connect Stanford students to the East Palo Alto community. Sarah is pursuing a career in art education and art therapy with MMAP and is interested in the realm of public art as a tool for social change. Sarah was the valedictorian of her academic high school and a member of the Stanford chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Her interests in art, education and psychology led to her involvement with MMAP.
Milan Wiley
Curriculum Development
milan@muralmusicarts.org
Milan is a dancer and a singer. Milan graduated from Stanford University in 2005 with a B.A. in Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity and a minor in Political Science. Upon graduation, Milan taught a Sociology college course offered through Santa Monica College at City Honor's High School in Los Angeles, CA and worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District's Design & Architectural/Engineering Division on a $1.4 billion initiative to build and repair 670 district school sites. After returning to the Bay Area in 2007, Milan began working with the Mural Music & Arts Project (“MMAP”), developing curriculum while she taught English at Oakland Technical High School, and American Literature and Government & Civics at the School for Independent Learners in Los Altos. She currently heads the Social Sciences Department at ASA Academy in Oakland where she instructs A.P. U.S. Government & Politics, U.S. History, World History & Cultures, Health, English, and College Awareness. In addition, she is the Student Life Coordinator and serves as advisor for Student Leadership, the California Junior Scholarship Federation, and Homework Club. Milan currently serves as the TMP Research Coordinator, and Dance Workshop Coordinator in MMAP’s Teen Mural Programs.
Tamara Sobomehin
Teen Art Instructor Coordinator
Working as an agent of positive social change, Tamara Sobomehin has a commitment to youth and youth development, as well as a passion for community programming. While back on The Farm (Stanford University), she worked several years in the surrounding community of East Palo Alto by serving as Co-Coordinator of the East Palo Alto Stanford Academy (EPASA) and volunteered with many student organizations, receiving a community service award for her mentor-based collaboration between East Palo Alto High School and the Stanford Community. As a studious, yet swagger-filled student leader, Tamara became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, cheered on the fans as a Stanford Yell Leader, led fundraising initiatives with the Stanford Fund, and acted as programming chair for both the Black Student Union and the Black Recruitment Orientation Committee. After graduating with a degree in Psychology, Tamara served as Academic Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula as well as helped found and develop Esfac’e, Inc., a social entrepreneurship company with a mission to “make popular culture positive.” In 2005 Tamara entered an “early retirement leave” to begin and raise her family. She is the mother of three beautiful children, and the wife of Olatunde Sobomehin. Beyond the responsibilities of motherhood, Tamara volunteers as the administrative executive for the Boys Basketball Program at Eastside College Preparatory School, and teaches public speaking to teens for the Summer Math & Science Honors Academy (SMASH) Academy at UC Berkeley.
Magdalena Gross
HEArt/GAP
magdalena@muralmusicarts.org
Magdalena Gross is currently pursuing a PhD at Stanford University in International Education. Currently, she leads a graffiti arts project centered on community beautification and healthy living with middle school students in the East Palo Alto community with MMAP. Formerly, Magda worked as a graffiti arts educator focused on intercultural collaboration for the University of Hip-Hop. She taught 8th grade Language Arts, and Social Studies in a public school in Chicago. During that time Magda utilized graffiti and hip-hop in the classroom to help her students engage social justice and the public arts. Through the UHipHop based “Crosstrain” program of the summers of 2003 and 2004, Magda helped to link youth from Oakland, California, Chicago, and the South Bronx, New York for the purposes of creating public arts projects through multi-media resources. Magda has worked with youth on many community hip-hop arts programs and social justice projects, for international groups such as Poland’s Pogranicze organization (Borderlands Project), nationally for the Lakota community in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and for Chicago groups such as the Southwest Youth Collaborative, the Chicago Park District, the University of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, and numerous other organizations. Magda collaborated with a NYC based rap artist to create the Test Track project, a music initiative for improving youth’s test-performance and academic achievement through literacy growth and musical engagement of historical knowledge in social studies. In the summer of 2010 she will travel to Poland once more to create a cross cultural graffiti program in Lublin. In the future she hopes to expand her use of hip-hop education with her students and to spearhead unconventional youth empowerment projects in and out of the classroom.
Operations
Sonya Clark-Herrera, M.A.
Executive Director
sonya@muralmusicarts.org
Sonya Clark-Herrera is a painter, the co-founder and current leader of the Mural Music and Arts Project (“MMAP”), a non-profit youth development organization that educates, empowers and inspires youth through engagement in the arts. Mentoring and teaching in after school and community based programs, including her own, and researching in the field of youth development, Ms. Clark-Herrera has dedicated herself to the positive development of traditionally disadvantaged youth with a particular emphasis on public art as a form of cultural empowerment and catalyst for social development and political activism. Prior to founding MMAP, Ms. Clark-Herrera collaborated with her best friend, Denise Roberson, to found a successful consulting business, Jadi Art, Concept & Creation, partnering emerging artists with a variety of institutional and corporate clients in the production of tailored visual art, multimedia and sculpture installations in New York and southern California. Sonya has managed and collaborated on several public art projects in New York, Pennsylvania and California. Ms. Clark-Herrera earned her B.A. in Social Science and B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine, in 1995, and her M.S. in Biomedical Anthropology from Columbia University in 1998.
Olatunde Sobomehin
Deputy Director
olatunde@muralmusicarts.org
Olatunde Sobomehin is a print maker. Olatunde has a lifelong service commitment to youth/community development, teaching and social entrepreneurship. Upon entering Stanford University in 1998, Olatunde immediately realized service opportunities and worked as student liaison for the East Palo Alto Neighborhood Improvement Initiative and was furthered recognized for his program "From the Revolving Prison Door to the Evolving Digital Door," a service project that trained former juvenile prisoners web-developing skills. As a Stanford basketball player in 2002/2003, he became the first non-recruited walk-on and was furthered voted "Most Inspirational Player." Upon graduation with a degree in Urban Studies, Olatunde founded his company, Esface, Inc, which aims to "make popular culture positive," began his career as a basketball coach, and started his work with the Mural, Music and Arts Program. As a co-director for MMAP's Teen Mural Program, he played an integral role in the successful pilot program in San Francisco, CA. Currently, Olatunde is also a lecturer and Speech Coordinator of Stanford Engineering Technical Oral Communications Program, Chairman of Esface, Inc and Head Boys Basketball Coach of Eastside College Prep. He is a proud husband and father of three children, Olatayo (4 years), Temilola (3 years) and Tatiola (2 years).
Enrique Allen
Director of Public Relations
enrique@muralmusicarts.org
Enrique Allen is a designer and graduate student researcher in the Stanford University Persuasive Technology Lab with a background in Human Biology and Management Science & Engineering. His research focuses on executing online and mobile behavior change through social networks. Enrique is currently working on a mobile recommendations study and recently published his findings in an upcoming Texting4Health book and Persuasive2009 conference. He applies academic rigor and industry experience with premier early-stage venture capital to spark entrepreneurship in MMAP. Enrique is compelled by his Bay Area roots to empower youth while generating revenue through notable public art commissions such as, "What Will it Be," in the Haas Center for Public Service. Currently, he is focusing on bridging social technology, public art, and underserved communities by managing multiple investments for MMAP. His short-term goals for MMAP include diversifying youth revenue streams and harvesting a global ecosystem of public art generated at MMAP's studio in East Palo Alto. Long-term, Enrique strives to effectively teach social entrepreneurship and develop a sustainable fund for community-focused investments.
Patrick Davenport
Operations and Program Coordinator
patrick@muralmusicarts.org
Patrick Davenport is a natural born leader interested in the intersections of art, music, business, and uncovering talent. Currently working as the Office and Studio Manager and Co-Director of MMAP's History Through Hip Hop Program, Davenport hopes to contribute to the growth of the Mural Music & Arts Project. Patrick joined the MMAP family from Chicago, IL as an intern from August - October and came on board to run the Studio/Office and HHH at CollegeTrac. Patrick is finishing his B.A. in Business Management from Lincoln-College in Normal, IL. Originally from Texas, his father's employment cause a family move to the Chicago suburbs during his high school years. Davenport served as Student Council Treasurer, Interact Community Service Club President during his junior and senior year of high school while playing both Lacrosse and Football. Strong family and community roots led Patrick to volunteer for the Dundee Township Boy's & Girl's Club and host multiple foreign exchange students. This past year Patrick worked with the McLean County Habitat for Humanity constructing two houses in the Bloomington-Normal area. Davenport also volunteered his time as a volleyball, soccer, and baseball coach for the Normal Parks & Rec and Assistant Coach for the Illinois State Lacrosse Team during his college career Patrick is very excited and truly blessed to be working with MMAP and all the teens who share his interest in art, athletics, and music production.
Olaremi Sobomehin
TMP Co-Director
olaremi@muralmusicarts.org
Having worked with MMAP since 2002 and realizing the effect it had on his life, over the years Remi has developed a passion for youth development. Remi is currently a graduating Senior at Stanford university, majoring in African and African American Studies. After spending 4 summers as a teen muralist in the Teen Mural Program, Remi began working in more administrative capacities within MMAP, including incorporating a new public speaking aspect into the Teen Mural Program, "Speak Up Speak Out". Remi and his older brother, Olatunde, established and developed this public speaking curriculum in 2005 and have continued to improve the curriculum ever since. Currently, he is the director of the History Thru Hip Hop program. Remi plans to use his passion for the youth and his skills in public speaking to teach in the public school system. Remi's goals extend far beyond solely academic, hoping to help students of color realize and reach their full potential.
Raspire Music
HHH Producers
Raspire Music brings a diverse musical background and broad array of talent and skills to the table. Raspire Music is an upcoming independent music company that produces, markets and distributes its own music. Raspire makes multicultural, island music that transcends to the international arena while honoring their Caribbean musical roots. We’ve created our own musical genre, Caribbean Hip Hop by infusing dance hall with Hip Hop and Reggae. Ours is a fresh island sound with a positive message and energy for everyone. Raspire Music as a company brings over a decade of musical experiences in addition to work in corporate and non-profit organizations as well as a lifelong passion for music. From recording, song writing and production, performance to the marketing and distributing of music, Raspire Music creates positive music that is representative of the new generation of music listeners who are cross-genre oriented, i.e pla lists that jump from country to hip hop.
Finegan Ferreboeuf
Interns
Victoria Asbury
Jessica Salinas
Jesus Mora
Laura Nunez
Artists
Jidenna Mobisson
Performing Artist
jidenna@muralmusicarts.org
Jidenna Mobisson (“Chief”) lived in Nigeria until he was 8 years old, and graduated from Boston’s prestigious Milton Academy in 2003 as a member of the Cum Laude Society. In addition to designing his own mentorship programs with Boston Public School students, this varsity basketball captain left behind a legacy of innovative accomplishments, which include founding the school’s first African Student Alliance and pushing the conservative administration to accept his senior project proposal: a hip hop history essay, album, concert, and documentary. Jidenna graduated with a B.A. in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University in 2008. Disillusioned with the socioeconomic imbalance and politics of institutional education while at Stanford, he joined the Mural Music & Arts Project (“MMAP”) in 2004 to amplify voices that had never stood in front of a microphone. Working as an instructor for the History through Hip Hop division of MMAP revitalized Jidenna’s purpose in California and established East Palo Alto as a home base. An inspiring instructor, producer, and artist, Jidenna leads the teen lyricists’ progress in musical expression as well as their comprehension and operation of the technology in MMAP’s Music Production Laboratory.
Caleb Duarte
Visual Artist
caleb@muralmusicarts.org
Caleb Duarte, born in 1977, migrated from Northern Mexico to the farm working communities of the Central Valley in California. He began to paint at an early age and continued his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. Caleb has exhibited his work in Pienza Italy, Mumbai India, Santiago de Cuba, Mexico City, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Fresno, and throughout the Bay Area. His work has been reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Art LTD magazine, and others noteworthy art publications. Caleb has worked in Honduras, Mexico, Cuba, Japan, and the US, exploring art in the context of community. Caleb has worked with MMAP since 2006 designing murals and teaching art. Caleb recently finished his studies in the graduate department in sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and will continue to share his artistic vision with MMAP.
Daniel Callahan
Visual & Performing Artist
legion@muralmusicarts.org
Daniel Callahan is the director of MMAP's History Through Hip Hop Program and acting Studio Manager for the Mural Music & Arts Project (“MMAP”). Daniel is a Recent Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his BAS in Fine Arts with a concentrating in Animation, and a minor in Africana Studies. Daniel is a recording and performing musical artist with the band Fear & Fancy. As both a visual and musical artist, Daniel is able to connect with the youth he serves in all of their artistic endeavors. His past work with youth oriented organizations such as The Art Sanctuary in Philadelphia, The Penn West Philadelphia Basketball League, The Lewis and Joan Platt East Palo Alto YMCA, The Galileo Summer Program in San Jose and many others has given Daniel extensive experience working with youth of all ages. Daniel is excited to bring both his artistic fervor and youth-work experience to the Mural Music and Arts Program.
Scape Martinez
Visual Artist
Born in Newark, New Jersey, and now living and working in San Jose, California, Scape Martinez has been creating art since childhood. Early in his teen years, he fell in love with graffiti art. He now creates with spray enamel, house paint, markers, acrylics and watercolors. He owns and operates a street wear clothing line, Liquidscape Clothing, and can be found frequently doing workshops and lectures. He has lectured on "Sights and Sounds of the Urban Environment," Arte Americas, Fresno, California; "Style Wars," Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco; "Aesthetics of Graffiti," San Jose City College; and "History of Graffiti and Rap Music," Hayward State University, currently he lectures on the connection between art and spirituality. He continues to be an art's educator having been assistant art director and lead artist-in-residence for the Children's Shelter of Santa Clara County, California.